tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61629522012-02-13T14:31:38.399-06:00detailing the subtle observances in the life and times of RoYce4, his compatriots and denizens deserving of praise or ridicule. Go failté.RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.comBlogger8231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-66796303396096900102012-02-12T10:00:00.000-06:002012-02-12T10:00:03.055-06:00

It is the dead of winter and what should one do? Grab a fine winter ale while they are to be had (such as Winter's Bourbon Cask Ale.) and read a bit about what signs of beer I have found in my varied travels. The entry today takes us back to late summer and the Minnesota State Fair. O'Gara's has quite the setup now at the fairgrounds. What used to be the St. Bernard's dining hall has been

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-74754730172862675442012-02-11T10:00:00.000-06:002012-02-11T10:00:05.197-06:00

We've been seeing it for over 3 years now. The head turning online sidebar advertisement that has some outlandish unrelated image hawking everything from diet things to life insurance to online education. Below I follow the evolution of one them- the siren flasher lady. It actually began with the Super Hero Mrs. Obama image but slowly digressed or regressed or something. First they decided

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-32467015056446148102012-02-10T17:09:00.001-06:002012-02-10T17:09:17.027-06:00

Took some time off to find snow and go cross country skiing with my mostly Finnish wife at Mapelag Resport. We had an incredible time in this snowy place. We skied something like 30 miles in 3 days. And my wonderfully mostly Finnish darling took an icy plunge into the lake after a sauna. We had any enjoyable time and had some delicious food too! 

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-52504973690534290262012-02-10T15:22:00.000-06:002012-02-10T15:22:18.876-06:00

The ad agencies are still churning out head turners online in 2012. Let's look at few recent releases to the nets that will make you gasp or ponder "is this a little weird for advertising a mortgage?" Well, it looks like the market is really booming for unkept facial hair. The bearded guy here has a twinge of friendly creep vibe. This could be Brad Pitt in a few years if he kept his crazy beard

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-31717706687160635922011-12-24T13:09:00.000-06:002011-12-24T13:12:35.779-06:00

Well, the holidays have a way of sneaking up on you and trying to pull you into the pit that is not the holiday itself but the Bizzaro holiday world. You know what I mean- the stress inducing things, the unrest, the traffic, the crowds. Really if somebody was searching for holiday cheer they'd be totally missing it. But today I bring you the thing I like about Christmas- the music. Sure you

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-61708713712995811962011-11-18T16:50:00.001-06:002011-11-18T17:18:17.021-06:00

I have been on a hiatus of sorts after getting married. I am mostly internetless except for the Twitterverse. (@suspect_bill) Now we are rushing towards the holidays and so I bring you a few uglies from the last few months. TrendMicro joins the fray with this one which may be photoshopped a bit to give the gal a bit more shock and awe. I am unsure why she is so shocked or is portraying a "Nooo

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-84817160997808702392011-10-12T09:27:00.001-05:002011-11-18T13:48:28.255-06:00

This title sounds like a band from the 70s. However, Google has a great interactive doodle today in honor of Art Clokey, creator of green guy Gumby. Clokey would have been 90 today, but he passed away last year. But did you know that the Gumby came from my hometown of Hastings, MN! Indeed I thought this odd too when I saw this fact on a map of Hastings that has hung in the family home for years.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-77812893134554754672011-09-28T14:00:00.000-05:002011-09-28T14:00:02.034-05:00

Guest blogger Cindy concludes her charming account of the Royce4 and MFB conjugal. Sometimes the time went swiftly and other moments dragged on. But then suddenly it was time to take the MFB from hiding to her place of prominence. When it was time to get ready to greet her, I saw the Groom nearly jog to his place and look steadfastly ahead. It is hard to describe an honest look of joy so deep it

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-31217736327325424632011-09-27T19:00:00.000-05:002011-09-27T19:00:04.533-05:00

Guest blogger Cindy continues the story of the Royce4+MFB wedding. The next morning I was off to the hairstylist and then to the sports store for a cowbell. Turns out they only sell them when the marathon is upon us, so I was out of luck. But the customer service at that giant Fargo sports conglomerate is top notch, and they suggested, why not run over to Fleet Farm and pick up some cowbells as

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-73528571782659293682011-09-27T12:31:00.000-05:002011-09-27T12:31:12.226-05:00

It has been a busy few months and the blog has been rather sparse with content. But I have good excuses. I got married. Yep, tied to the knot too, although it should be more likely entwining the rope. But that is all I will write for now. Instead I will enlist the aid of a guest blogger to fill in the details of the momentous day. You've heard from her before when we wondered about the

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-80788380175793160482011-08-27T01:57:00.001-05:002011-08-27T12:11:54.958-05:00

 This month celebrates a decade in the Go for me. And likewise it is also the 10 year anniversary of Harvest Community Church- one the big reasons I found my way up here. Let me recount the early days of my time here and especially related to this church I aided in starting. Things were not going well in the Twin Cities where I worked- they could not afford to keep me on board. Well that opened a

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-66275026438317944052011-08-26T16:21:00.000-05:002011-08-26T16:21:38.643-05:00

Now another installment of my look at ugly online ads that are on the 'nets. Now that campaign season is underway anything that attractions the disgruntled citizen is sure to be fair game. And official Obama ads are cropping up right next to the ugly ones. Albeit the real Obama ads are fairly clean cut stuff usually tempting the viewer by asking them to "join the team" or "Obama needs your help."

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-64093982027980116372011-08-15T09:58:00.000-05:002011-08-15T09:58:56.906-05:00

The Blue Angels were in town this weekend but leading up to their performance at the Fargo Air Show they practiced in the skies above. They screeched over my workplace numerous times. I actually had a pretty good view from my upper windows. It was hard to photograph a decent show since they zoomed by with lightning speed. But let me tell you, they came pretty close. It seemed we could hit them

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-71169506493923130802011-08-04T12:15:00.054-05:002011-08-04T12:15:00.907-05:00

Today we will miss one more cat. Sweetie, an appreciative feline, who battled on despite he fading health will be well remember not only for age - she was nearing 20 years - but for being a fixture amongst our community.  Sweetie kept us entertained with her antics especially when it came to computers.  Even though popular by most people's standards, Sweetie shunned further popularizing

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-76463782268175922852011-08-01T11:44:00.000-05:002011-08-01T11:44:57.828-05:00

An now another exciting installment of Ugly Online Ads. In our last post we were seeing the Obamavertment making a comeback and the old also getting more ads. Well we got a little more of that and then some.Our first is a scary looking lady. I think this was used to sell a miracle wrinkle cream or perhaps a sleep reducing program. I think it may do better as an advertisement for a Star Trek

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-3388850235108905102011-07-28T00:38:00.002-05:002011-07-29T14:49:38.234-05:00

It has been a sparse July. Not much time to post things with much going on in my wonderfully delicious life. But here we bring you Marathon in July- more Fargo Marathon beard spottings. Below we have a very real Colorado goatee surrounded by a multitude of women. The Colorado goatee is also bold enough to sport a head band Next we got a rare specimen of the almost ducktail. It is a bit blurry

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-79844463123166053882011-07-27T11:34:00.000-05:002011-07-27T11:34:51.266-05:00

Well, soon this dungary wearing, shovel toting bear will be 67.I thought he was older.Anyways, look like his terminology has changed a bit from forest fires to wildfires. The change probably recognizes all those wildfires of not which have been in the news this past decade. CNN did not give much if any press time to any forest fires I am aware. Although the 2 overlap and may as well just be

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-40941745277635778372011-07-10T00:47:00.000-05:002011-07-10T00:47:40.374-05:00

 It was a pretty sparse blog in June, but here comes July with an explosion. An explosion of Ugly Online Ads! Our first specimen today is the return of the Obamavertment. Since the guy who has name like his was killed the Prez's credibility for ads has risen. Of cource I am not sure this one has a hidden political statement in it. The man looks rather disinterested in the reduction that the

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-60648002488574507752011-06-28T00:13:00.001-05:002011-06-28T00:15:56.745-05:00

I promised many months ago that I would show you the authentic sauna that my MFG's father built. And I am hoping to build my Finnish readership. This sauna is quite spacious. It think it can hold 5 quite comfortably.  It is heated by a wood stove. You can see the interior above and note the corner part of the kiuas (see the rocks) It does not have running water so one needs to bring pails of

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-5698255006243413102011-06-24T14:05:00.000-05:002011-06-24T14:05:42.113-05:00

A few weeks ago I decided to do some backpacking and ended up backpacking in the BWCA. Yeah, no canoe, I hiked out to the lakes on the Kekekabic Trail, a unforeseen challenge. The Kek, as it is known to some, sprang up back in the 1930s for fire suppression in Superior National Forest.  It fell into disuse until some Boy Scouts cleared it out in 1949. Back in 1949 a Boy Scout said of this trail:

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-88353198460878979132011-06-22T18:55:00.002-05:002011-06-22T18:55:00.338-05:00

Well, there haven't been any updates for weeks. Pitful, I know. But here's what happened in short summary since Memorial Day. 1. Went on my adventure hiking trip on the North Country Trail in 2 different locations. One near Remer, MN and the other in the BWCA on The Kek. The whole Kekekabic Trail is enough for another post so I'll not drop the details here. To say the least, that trail kicked my

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-78038697310194737472011-05-30T00:00:00.001-05:002011-05-30T00:00:07.422-05:00

The poppy has been a popular symbol used around Memorial Day in the States and in the UK and perhaps elsewhere. The VFW distributes them yearly. I don't know if they are sold or what. I haven't seen that many around my neck of the woods for years. I have an old one I keep on hand. The VFW website explains it. Although all veterans are often honored on this holiday, it was originally for those

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-79347627256799421512011-05-27T14:13:00.000-05:002011-05-27T14:13:15.920-05:00

Well it is pretty done and dusted in Fargo now a whole week after all the excitement happened. I have run, biked, or walked most of the southern portion of the marathon route and have found almost all the GU leftovers. The rest of the GU will probalby blow away. Here's an article about the men's winner- Luke Watson. The writer likes to point it out that he beat a Kenyan. Actually 2 Kenyans if

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-16769014243568167702011-05-26T23:57:00.000-05:002011-05-26T23:57:44.686-05:00

After a slight lull in the action the Ugly Ads are...still coming. It's been a busy month and all but I've come across a few we can dissect here. Since the Osama raid, Obama's popularity has risen although this ad does not invoke the name it only refers to a President- perhaps the bank's president did this. This photo shopped picture is pretty ugly. Of course the fake eyes really does this one

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-37677060910726317292011-05-25T00:44:00.000-05:002011-05-25T00:44:09.957-05:00

We continue our look at the beards of the Fargo Marathon. I have looked closely at each and attempted to identify the style but often it defies style or is just the plain old short boxed beard. Let's take a look at the beards shall we? Headband, saved head, and a Vandyke. His T-Shirt suggests he should have worn flannel and wielded an ax. Maybe next time.  Here we double your pleasure with 2

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-78917522067871600472011-05-23T18:51:00.000-05:002011-05-23T18:51:50.571-05:00

Another bearded guy without a shirt and red shoes. Not sure what to entitle this one. Perhaps he could be called gentleman barbarian. Nearby, Elvis serenades the runners like he only knows how. Not many spectators were nearby. Not sure if it was just the oddity of being near Elvis that kept them away or a perturbed dislike for jumpsuits. Well, a few moments later another oddity runs by.  It's a

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-45936388698093535742011-05-22T20:00:00.002-05:002011-06-22T12:01:02.191-05:00

I wonder if Dick Beardsley ever had a beard? Our first beard tonight includes a bonus wave. This fellow is sporting a very chivalrous beard. I wouldn't be surprised if this fellow is a knight and pondered before the race whether to wear his sword in order to slay a dragon that may find itself onto the course. Although he opted for more "running potions" to carry him through until the end.  Oh and

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-76832516935923303512011-05-22T18:36:00.002-05:002011-05-22T18:51:22.938-05:00

I was unsure after running the 5K in 26:44 whether the weather would be good the next day for the half and the full. Well the weather was as good at it was last year. A little rain and some overcast skies. Really, it was a good day to run. The Forum reports  12,500 ran in the events on Saturday although the marathon website reports 22000 ran or walked in event held the entire weekend. I did not

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-26284975042632651812011-05-21T01:14:00.000-05:002011-05-21T01:14:35.026-05:00

The rain was intermittent. The crowd was big. A couple were getting married  after the race. This was just some of the things on view at the Fargo Friday Night 5K I ran in this race- my first in a long time. Did very well too. However the 1st mile and half of the race was nearly wall to wall people. I couldn't work up to my typical gait with the lack of space. Eventually it go spread out at

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-63519488101743584602011-05-20T16:26:00.000-05:002011-05-20T16:26:36.505-05:00

Well, gentle spring rains descended upon Fargo around 3PM as I returned home from my shift volunteering at packet pickup. The rain has slightly diminished but is making me rethink my 5k wardrobe. 90 percent chance to rain tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn't have a chance. I rained a little last year. Packet pick up was rather light this morning. I got placed on the relay table so it was extra light.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-26670454340334673712011-05-20T09:30:00.000-05:002011-05-20T09:30:00.223-05:00

Upon entry to the Fargo Dome you will find your way down the stairs and into the Expo. Lots of vendors and Scheel's once again has gargantuan section. Fargo's 2 other running stores also have booths.  These ladies try to convince this young lad to listen to their radio station by apply a temporary tattoo. They disappeared shortly thereafter. Here's the marathon's MC- Coach JP. Here in this

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-31972060087266185462011-05-20T00:16:00.000-05:002011-05-20T00:16:54.095-05:00

I volunteered at the kids' race. Quite a few volunteers for this event but it was an easy gig. Even got to check out the new turf on Dacotah Field. It seems so real. Kids got to run a half mile or a mile. They all received a finishers' medal and water (some even got the water from me.) Looked like about 2000 kids took part. It actually went very smoothly. Apparently the red headed kid in the

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-62172805734707823632011-05-19T00:14:00.000-05:002011-05-19T00:14:58.046-05:00

Last year the Marathon expanded. No, it didn't add an extra mile or two. It added a 10K and then put the 5K on Friday night. This year's expansion moves the Kid's Race onto the Thursday of race week. No word if any kids are flying in for this one. And to my knowledge, I have yet to know of a Kenyan youngster who has run in this race. I won't doubt African kids have run in it- just not Kenyans.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-38171004598965281672011-05-18T00:32:00.000-05:002011-05-18T00:32:45.582-05:00

So I might not be a weather forecaster, but I still think the weather does look good for a fantastic marathon. Today I took a look at the course again for this year's races. A video of the marathon course with commentary is up on the Fargo Marathon website. It is still a winding course. Plenty of turns. (It had been overheard Kenyans don't like all the turns. Even so, there will be a few Kenyans

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-83482530500187739572011-05-16T12:00:00.002-05:002011-05-18T00:34:35.126-05:00

Last week reminded us how late spring is in coming to the Dakotas. I was in the garden on Saturday and I thought I felt something like snow hit my face. But, then Saturday evening arrives and spring awakens again. And just in time for a great Fargo Marathon. Weather forecast thus far this week suggest low 70s. I guess it might be around mid-40s or 50s at race start this Saturday. I think we are

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-87433335891167794592011-05-16T11:06:00.001-05:002011-05-17T23:50:11.863-05:00

Looks like somebody got to it before I did- The Cosby Sweater Project. The Cosby sweater phenomenon began in the 80s and breached the 90s and now is in fashion folklore. During the run of the Cosby Show, comedian Bill Cosby had a penchant for wearing nearly awful sweaters. The offbeat and oft bizarre stylistic choices also touched other pieces of wardrobe worn by fellow cast members. So far the

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-91199365027586473782011-04-30T01:30:00.000-05:002011-04-30T01:30:42.288-05:00

I was surprised to find this on my bike trip last summer. This actually was the men's bathroom mirror at the Hawk Museum campground. That spread of cold cuts and fixins certainly looked delicious after a hard day of pedaling and slogging through the rain. Canadian Ace was produced by the Manhattan Brewing Company of Chicago. So its not really Canadian beer. So I doubt Cal Clutterbuck or Sidney

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-90517203876221402402011-04-28T00:54:00.000-05:002011-04-28T00:54:36.241-05:00

These images just keep coming although they've leveled off recently or being re-run into oblivion. But I'll  keep you abreast on new developments in the use of ugly, weird, and off the wall. Anything to get a click through. Here we have a somewhat reformed caveman. Not sure why they teased his hair into a fro. Certainly a weird one and one done for a more notable customer- Trans Union. Still

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-10650008987058872852011-04-28T00:33:00.001-05:002011-04-28T09:41:03.360-05:00

Way back in July 2010 the Man of 3 Names and I set out from Grand Forks, ND on bicycles to sojourn to the Center of North America (Rugby.) I continue this story as we head west towards our destination and spend the night amongst old things. It was a bit chilly the morning of July 5th. Dew had settled upon our tents. The bathrooms were still closed. We ate a bit then torn down camp. We stopped at

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-48552938520314171342011-04-20T00:25:00.000-05:002011-04-20T00:25:34.560-05:00

 The Red River had crested in Fargo at somewhere around 39 feet a week and half ago. The levees and dikes held back the angry waters of the Red for yet another year. However, there was at least one causality. A man sandbagging his home died of a heart attack. It wasn't in town. Someplace north of town. Oakport to be exact. That same weekend my room-mate and I were driving north out of town on I-

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-60793246397739788032011-04-05T12:15:00.000-05:002011-04-05T12:15:27.532-05:00

Another flood continues to descend upon the region. A bit later than previous but that gave us more time. Sandbag dikes are going up this week. I think the crest of around 40' is forecasted for April 10th. The photo at the right is from almost a month ago. The snow was nearly gone but then-wham! Another snow storm and then another and another. Not sure how much snow we got this winter. Someone

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-51945410444927731282011-03-31T09:11:00.000-05:002011-03-31T09:11:39.035-05:00

It seems like the flood has taken backseat to Japan and Libya probably because it is a "slow flood flood a coming" as former Fargo dweller Robert Zimmerman might exclaim. I guess that is all right since Japan is in much worse condition than us at the moment.So since the last update, sand bag filling operations stopped in Fargo due to new estimates for needed bags. So somewhere between 2.5 and 3

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-77699536804987318572011-03-27T01:43:00.000-05:002011-03-27T01:43:20.012-05:00

I had the distinction of attending Park High in my fledgling days. And it was one of those schools people would mistaken for the half dozen or so other schools which had a Park in its name: Como Park, Champlin Park, Spring Lake Park, Brooklyn Park, Park Center, Highland Park, Park Rapids. And let us not forget Darth Maul- Ray Park. But that was later. My Park was in the south east suburbs- a kind

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-53351505042292359122011-03-25T12:13:00.000-05:002011-03-25T12:13:59.807-05:00

 They are back at it again. The ad men (and gals) are using redirection to grab your attention. It must be the greatest discovery made in all online advertising- make it ugly or weird or outlandish and you will get clicks. Since I know their game I refuse to give him the satisfaction of getting a few cents more for a click. But let's dig into our set for today. The one on our left I call "

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-87458027332818049452011-03-17T00:57:00.000-05:002011-03-17T00:57:33.943-05:00

He allegedly drove the snakes out of Ireland. He taught a lesson on the tri-unity of God using a clover. He defied the High King of Tara. He sat atop of a mountain in County Mayo and prayed for 40 days for the Irish. He won the adoration of the entirety of Ireland despite not being Irish himself. Numerous wells, geological features, churches and towns the world over are named for him. Not bad

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-26460719955856285412011-03-07T10:37:00.000-06:002011-03-07T10:37:57.032-06:00

 I spent part of Wednesday last week making sandbags in preparation for flood season. It appears we are in for another major flood by all forecasts. Sandbag central was bustling. Mostly full of the younger folks but there were some older ones there too. Operations were in full swing. It looked as if there were about 4 spider devices running. I jumped right in and it all came back to me- how to

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-31725234844445500732011-03-06T00:19:00.001-06:002011-03-07T10:27:26.456-06:00

Took the morning session of the Fargo Film Fest today. It featured 8 films- most were short. Here's the run down and what I thought of each. An Affair with Dolls- Confusing at first but then you realize it is a the meta-narrative of the story we don't see. So it's a meta story acted out with the dolls that in the end you feel sadness for the protagonist- the lady trapped in this odd relationship

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-46272782824177105372011-03-02T15:28:00.000-06:002011-03-02T15:28:24.065-06:00

It would have been heroic if the Mayor gave a stirring speech and urged us to volunteer by concluding with those lines- "Let us begin to fight." The pre-emptive strike on the waters of the Red River of the North began on Valentine's Day with the opening of sandbagging operations. The river is mostly frozen solid now. There was a week of warmer weather after that week. But then winter re-asserted

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-40295583426311259792011-02-28T00:25:00.001-06:002011-02-28T00:35:53.141-06:00

A real jerk. Maybe its because of the 3 minute phone limit. This is part of an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center focusing on the Greatest Generation. The had some great "time capsules" of the years leading up to WWII and into the 50s. This soda fountain was just one of them. There was another exhibit about weather in which there was a recreation of a tornado which landed in Fridley in

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-81088557894715824342011-02-28T00:11:00.000-06:002011-02-28T00:11:48.668-06:00

It was a quiet weekend up here. Well, maybe. Depends on how you appreciated the sound of moaning zombies all over. They can be rather noisome. Fortunately there are guys like McGjervold who can take out a dozen or so of the troublesome undead minions. Went to a party and sure enough, there they were- zombies. Real crazy looking zombies.  And there was the food too. I sampled the fare before I

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-72773390529019143822011-02-23T09:38:00.002-06:002011-03-07T10:41:24.419-06:00

Long ago and far away, a time of mutual dismay Some battle station plans got parlayed You'd like to know more, I daresay. Pursued by evil men. the plucky gal did flee Hoping to bring peace, at last, to the galaxyIf Ted Geisel, aka Dr Seuss, wrote the Star Wars saga, it would have begun like that. He would have had to pay me for it as I just wrote it, but my rates are reasonable. And of course it

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-23419421824005246292011-02-22T23:36:00.000-06:002011-02-22T23:36:01.525-06:00

Probably one of the oddest gifts you can give these days besides ketchup ( or a ketchup phone) is the snuggie. What do you do if you received one? Well like this guy below you just rolls with it. Wears it. And appears to enjoy it. In fact it makes him look even more scholarly than without one. It is as if he will be lecturing on the book he is reading in an hour.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-46264997897115820972011-02-18T16:53:00.002-06:002011-02-18T16:56:47.100-06:00

 Online ad strategy seems to be shifting a wee bit as Ugly is being superceded by bizzarre or 2nd look type images. Yet they are hawking lots of the same junk: mortgages and education and dark secrets to lose weight. Newer entries into the market have been for sleep disorders. Out first today on the left still keeps a smidge on the ugly side but certainly is pushing for bizzare. She appears more

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-19596134214138746392011-02-02T09:19:00.000-06:002011-02-02T09:19:20.288-06:00

I was doing a little identity scouring on the web to ensure most of my real persona is obscured or at the very least knotted in a tight codified layer of mystery and came across this cryptic blog post from nearly 4 years ago. It would seem to be directed at me but what it really says I have yet to decipher. Nonetheless, I know the author. Some would say such a post would have been written under

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-26029841092013641672011-01-25T11:43:00.000-06:002011-01-25T11:43:13.660-06:00

Way back in July 2010 the Man of 3 Names and I set out from Grand Forks, ND on bicycles to sojourn to the Center of North America (Rugby.) This is the continuing log of that eventful journey. We left off as 3 Names and I descended upon Langdon along Highway 1. We arrived in Langdon about dinner time on July 4th. I stopped at the local grocery before it closed to get some food, including 1/4 of

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-29542286076242083372011-01-19T18:28:00.000-06:002011-01-19T18:28:00.509-06:00

Way back in July 2010 the Man of 3 Names and I set out from Grand Forks, ND on bicycles to sojourn to the Center of North America (Rugby.) This is the continuing log of that eventful journey. Part 3 left off  with 3 Names and I at a crowded campground in Wahalla on the evening of July 3rd. I finally got to sleep after the pre-Independence Day racket died down in the wee hours of the morn. We

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-51490720935034182902011-01-16T02:02:00.001-06:002011-01-16T02:18:25.739-06:00

I decided to go to the performance of Dakota Air this weekend. This monthly radio show is recorded live someplace in North Dakota each month. Today it was a few blocks away from where I currently reside. An acquaintance at work is the music director for the show and since it seemed pretty similar to the show I do at Christmas I decided to check it out. I was not disappointed. The show was chalk

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-47510962851770846492011-01-09T01:06:00.000-06:002011-01-09T01:06:36.858-06:00

Went shopping today but I was amazed at how many times I could have been taken had I not piped up and said something. 3 time! Actually the 1st time I let it slip. The clerk caught the markdown on one item but not on the other. Next at the hardware store I often frequent, I was nearly charged from 4 feet of an item instead of the 3 which was on the order slip. I caught that one. I am not sure why

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-47688409213329926422011-01-07T16:38:00.000-06:002011-01-07T16:38:09.675-06:00

Seems like Star Wars is coming to blu-ray. Oh, really. Star Wars is also making its way in swimwear. You can take a dip in the pool pretending to be Threepio or Artoo. But these are only for the ladies. Guys, you'd look rather strange in these suits. The swimwear seem to harken back to Underoos. I seem to recall that Star Wars had quite a line of underwear for the kiddies. I think I had Darth

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-48606547052815880762011-01-06T17:56:00.001-06:002011-01-06T17:59:04.858-06:00

 Nothing like a little make-up and some photoshop to uglify yourself into an online ad. I doubt the woman in the picture ever looked this way when she could not sleep through the night. The photo itself might make you not sleep through the night but I think that is a little exaggeration. The stare get us to look closer and pay attention so it is debatable whether this indeed could count an UOA (

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-70039432825961505412011-01-06T17:33:00.001-06:002011-01-06T17:58:42.741-06:00

Apparently the go-to guy in this scenario is Kirk Cameron. The interview is actually pretty hilarious. Not sure why CNN's  Anderson Cooper gave Kirk a ring. Perhaps he equated Kirk's role in those Left Behind movies as some sort of official spokesperson for End Times. Strange, I don't equate birds falling from the sky with the end of days. It is certainly odd. However, there is one point in end

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-44944137997270601302010-12-31T23:56:00.000-06:002010-12-31T23:56:10.302-06:00

It is New Year's Eve and I am at home, forced to sit out the normal festivities by 2 blizzards. And these are really blizzards, not just some snow flakes and a little wind. The 2 interstates were shut. The roads were horrible. The weather was and continues to be dreadful. There have been wind chill temperatures of -49 Fahrenheit in places. Funny how it was nearly 30 a few days ago. The first

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-17351229591634441072010-12-31T23:35:00.000-06:002010-12-31T23:35:56.161-06:00

My brother in law made this incredible Christmas cake. It was big! It was good. 2 layers with some strawberries in the middle. I still have a part of it.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-88852653595999205632010-12-26T01:00:00.000-06:002010-12-26T01:00:01.395-06:00

It might be Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day but in other parts of the world the Christmastide continues onward until Epiphany on January 6th. In Ireland, the Wren Boys might come out on December 26 in costume and sing and ask for small donations for the "Wren Dance." Not sure how prevalent it still is in Ireland. Sounds fun to me. Here the snow lays heavy upon the ground. The wind whips it up in

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-7877941607659717882010-12-25T03:00:00.000-06:002010-12-25T03:00:06.753-06:00

God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay. For Jesus Christ our Savior, Was born on Christmas Day; To save us all from Satan’s power, When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, For Jesus Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas day More on this older carol and how merry might not be about revelry is found here and here. It certainly has joyful meter and is rather bright

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-54297194358739797352010-12-24T16:01:00.000-06:002010-12-24T16:01:00.475-06:00

Happy Christmas everybody. For some it is the most wonderful time of the year and for others the most stressful. Then there are others who just don't care. But we'll let them be that way. It can be like the Frank Capra film It's A Wonderful Life- life events and circumstances can dictate who we are, what we are worth until we just want to escape the pressures that life presents. It was fortunate

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-43326468103840609712010-12-24T09:22:00.010-06:002010-12-24T10:02:26.027-06:00

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.You've probably heard this dozens of times if you watch Charlie Brown Christmas. Linus takes the spotlight and tells Charlie Brown (and everyone else) what Christmas is all about. I have seen it 3 times this year and it

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-82282705133189097412010-12-24T02:13:00.000-06:002010-12-24T02:13:05.032-06:00

Winter had been dropping upon us like a a load of bricks since Thanksgiving. But now it is officially the winter. The snow lay on the ground, thick and cold. This the most snow I can recall on the ground before the calendar said winter began. And this winter attack on fall has kept me off the bike for more days than I recall from previous years. I got my winter bike ready the day before the major

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-89039118170556019082010-12-22T01:35:00.000-06:002010-12-22T01:35:01.074-06:00

That the first birthday assemblage ever was held. Maybe not the only one but the one that coincides with my particular DOB. I came up with the assemblage because I did not like the word party. Yeah, that's right, a word snob. So I held this gathering, er assemblage, at Lehigh on my birthday or at least on the day nearest my birthday that was not a school night. The assemblage included games,

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-56118207888125340362010-12-16T12:07:00.000-06:002010-12-16T12:07:52.011-06:00

Where I work we get packages from around the world and occasionally they are packed with newspapers from these places. Just the other day I had a box with a Russian language news tabloid that had the story of Michael Jackson's death a few years ago. But here we have an advertisement from a Finnish DIY store- Starkki (something of a cross between Home Depot and Menard's.) But instead of loads of

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-82304895852963476992010-12-16T10:15:00.000-06:002010-12-16T10:15:35.226-06:00

We've been on an ugly kick here this last year (remember ugly online ads) so it makes sense to look for the ugly Christmas sweaters. Think Bill Cosby getting run over by a reindeer and a dozen elves and throw in a random snowman. Actually these are rather quaint-snowflakes and stars. The one below I actually own and has appeared on the blog before. I got it for only a buck last year! So perhaps

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-13636288877177445072010-12-08T01:11:00.000-06:002010-12-08T01:11:58.136-06:00

Man alive! It's December already. Once Thanksgiving come its a slippery slope to the end of year. It has been a while since I've had time to post. I still don't have time, but I will anyway. But what this post needs is pictures!  At left is my MFG (mostly Finnish girlfriend) holding a box of Lux flakes- a popular soap from yesteryear. Lux used to sponsor a few radio shows- notably the Lux Radio

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-4202929907939585282010-11-19T15:36:00.000-06:002010-11-19T15:36:12.290-06:00

 The uglies keep on coming. I think the ad people have discovered that if you put something outlandish on any ad, related or not, somebody is likely to click through and ching that cash in the pocket. But of course this could backfire and unknowing create a negative brand identity. Still more the ugly ones really hide for whom they are working. And a lot of them are for this cut rate mortgages.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-83100306869922481492010-11-17T09:32:00.000-06:002010-11-17T09:32:01.126-06:00

It is coming soon and the Great Pumpkin will probably run for his/her life lest the feasters plan to devour delicious pumpkin pies. Actually it is unlikely the at 1621 celebration, which our Thanksgiving looks to, there were any pies. This article from the Christian Science Monitor looks at that feast and debunk the myths we have attached to the holiday. So perhaps this Thanksgiving it will not

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-45908983806325558602010-11-09T15:51:00.000-06:002010-11-09T15:51:59.345-06:00

The economy takes a bumpy course and Republicans gain big in the election, however the ugly online ad is not going away. It disappears for a while but comes back full force to get you with the just plain odd images of people. Some of the ones I've reviewed before are making encore performances. The "One Simple Rule" ad and ads summoning men to get "ripped" have also been racking up clicks and

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-16673856456069009902010-11-01T10:40:00.000-05:002010-11-01T10:40:30.859-05:00

The maquerading season is over but I will bring a few more disguises before we descend into the turkey and gravy and mash potatoes days which loom ahead. The night of Halloween was rather a no show. It was cooler that the previous 2 'weens and it also appeared downtown was not jumping. In fact whole blocks were alone and empty. What masqueaders I saw were minimal. They all kept indoors, if in

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-60700877136728628552010-11-01T01:11:00.000-05:002010-11-01T01:11:02.214-05:00

Ensign Palmer knows that he'll be placed in the line of fire. 3 times has he been left for dead only to rise up again to beam aboard the Enterprise. Being killed is one thing he failed at the academy. Everything else he did just fine. Although he works in engineering  he often gets assigned security detail by mistake. There is another Ensign Palmer aboard the vessel but she seems to always get

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-8126429074793411742010-10-31T20:00:00.001-05:002010-10-31T20:00:00.894-05:00

With just a little duct tape, a Swiss Army knife, and a little scientific know-how, McGjervold can lick any problem no matter how mundane or ludicrous. Giant scallions? He'll do it. Killer tomatoes? Gjervold will slice and dice them into salsa with a an old tin can. Heartburn? He'll make you an organic nutrient rich beverage to ease the pain. Working for the famous Phoenix Foundation, McGjervold

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-18382825538384605272010-10-31T19:30:00.001-05:002010-10-31T19:30:00.827-05:00

Katy Perry does not fight crime, at least that's what I've been told by a publicist. Sure she can get censored by Sesame Street but stopping bad guys and gals, she don't light a finger. Here she is just after he SNL appearance with the Great Zavs. Katy is content to hang out, have a good time, and sing a few songs.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-68928186292081217392010-10-31T19:00:00.001-05:002010-10-31T19:00:00.278-05:00

If the Google Doodle can have a Scooby Doo reference so can my blog. Snaggy actually works with indirectly. We used to be on the same team until I changed what I do. Snaggy doesn't eat much these days like he did in his earlier crime fighting days. He does like comics and such. Not sure how much crime he is preventing as Scooby has been stuffed for some time. Scooby was really the brains behind

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-34456301261642242472010-10-31T18:25:00.000-05:002010-10-31T18:25:58.105-05:00

 Marylin and Poison work together but once a year and at that only after drinking a pint of light beer. They met in Hollywood one autumn night while waiting in the make-up department. They have teamed up to fight crime this year since deciding that crime was so yesterday. Their plan is to stop a bank robbery or a terrorist threat. So far they have only helped an old lady rake leaves in her yard.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-46353958893816237852010-10-28T10:41:00.000-05:002010-10-28T10:41:05.565-05:00

The Dutch Master is neither from the Netherlands nor a master of anything worthwhile except precision weaponry from said low lands. He actually gets his name from the brand of cigar he prefers- Dutch Masters. Plus he dons a particular hair style and mustache and hat reminiscent of the said Dutch Masters. He plays coy as he smokes a cigar and fires weapons. He seldom is seen before noon. The Dutch

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-15300197410212806562010-10-26T01:03:00.003-05:002010-10-28T10:43:29.347-05:00

Since its the disguising time of year, I will inspire your imaginations with another daily disguise series. Rubber Chicken Ambassador (RCA) is looking for his next victim to whack with a rubber chicken. Beware, it could be you! RCA frequents fine hotels and fraternal halls. His hat is said to be made from a racoon he captured with the chicken. RCA is a ringleader of a crack team of divious

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-27434614591138657402010-10-15T20:24:00.001-05:002010-10-15T20:28:49.525-05:00

A trifecta of Johnny Cash on Blog Action Day and throw in a reference to Jesus, too. I was pondering how much of Jesus' ministry involved water. Let's list a few: Baptized Performed water into wine miracle Frequented boats Walked on water Claimed to be living water Spoke of springs of living water coming out of people Asks for a drink of water from a woman at a well Taught about blessing of

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-16741731852882395532010-10-15T13:00:00.000-05:002010-10-15T13:00:04.322-05:00

  Johnny Cash once again sings for Blog Action Day 2010. And here we  talk about floods. I've lived through a few. Nashville flooded too. I blogged that. In this case water proves to be the threaten-er. People and property are harmed by rising waters. There were no flood fatalities in Fargo with caveat that 2 people died due to exertion during flood prevention. Millions in damage was accounted.

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-87805683332067014672010-10-15T10:00:00.002-05:002010-10-15T10:00:01.637-05:00

In the film Walk the Line, Joaquin Phoenix portraying Johnny Cash in the scene of the concert at Folsom Prison takes a glass of murky water and throws it to the ground before breaking in Cocaine Blues. In reality the scene did not happen that way. It seems that Cash did do a comic bit about the water at Folsom Prison in both morning and afternoon shows. I don't think he broke a glass like Joaquin

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-8687701566920435222010-10-15T07:00:00.001-05:002010-10-15T07:00:12.978-05:00

This water related story comes out of my alma mater, UMM. Michael Eble, an UMM studio art professor, got to spend some time alone in a cabin along the St. Croix River this August. He was awarded the Artist at Pine Needles residency. So for three weeks he resided in a rustic cabin thanks to the St. Croix Watershed Research Station. His task: create a project related to the environment. The result:

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-13574111672297018752010-10-12T11:39:00.000-05:002010-10-12T11:39:41.647-05:00

I usually cover floods and parades but yesterday evening I saw something else.Great billows of smoke rising to the heavens could be seen miles away.I just got done with work and was intending to go that all purpose store, Fleet Farm. The thick black smoke was coming from the direction of the store."This should be interesting." I thought, "Perhaps Fleet Farm is burning."  The smoke billowed

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-83955922285703724902010-10-06T09:32:00.001-05:002010-10-06T09:54:48.938-05:00

This year I will be participating in Blog Action Day. Topic of concern this year: water. It is actually something I care about since I drink a lot of it and use it for recreation. Most of my blogging on water has been about flooding but I am not sure how to work that into this blog action day. I guess flooding has potential to contaminate clean water supplies. Water is one of those essentials for

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-15802088177551419352010-10-05T23:55:00.000-05:002010-10-05T23:55:26.340-05:00

 Here we go again. Just when you thought the economy was back on track and ad agencies would be hiring the better looking clients, they release these mugs upon the public. I found these all on weather.com, where I suspect most web traffic goes after they update their status. First, at the top left, we have ugly zombie tooth visor man. Well, he forgot to put on his zombie but could be mistaken as

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-54465468899236492562010-09-20T23:46:00.000-05:002010-09-20T23:46:30.342-05:00

Experienced the 2nd Streets Alive (http://www.fmstreetsalive.org/) event this weekend. I rode the entire route with my friend. I wasn't sure what to expect for an event of this type. However, I was surprised. The only drawback was the few kids who got in the way on Broadway otherwise Streets Alive was like a leisurely tour around the community. Afterward, Cindy, my roommate, and I made the most

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-67928238165977292852010-09-17T23:25:00.000-05:002010-09-17T23:25:26.938-05:00

It was a cool and slightly wet night in Fargo. But it didn't matter much to the home team. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks again won the Northern League title defeating the Kansas City T-Bones 3-0 in the a 3 game sweep. Pitcher TJ Stanton (he has no beard in that linkage) had a 1 hit shutout and struck out the first 8 batters he faced. The game was sort of unbelievable considering the last time I was

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-51678558561170396922010-09-14T11:48:00.000-05:002010-09-14T11:48:43.297-05:00

The heat did not dissipate after leaving Hoople. Fortunately, I found a water spigot in Tatertown to refill my reservoir. The 18 miles of long straight road into Cavalier was generally uneventful. It was mostly fields of potatoes and an occasional farm house and barn. The Man of 3 Names and I arrived in Cavalier pretty exhausted. 3 Names sat a spell in a gazebo on the edge of downtown while I

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-31286460052513894432010-09-13T10:00:00.001-05:002010-09-14T10:35:37.998-05:00

Prairie Chicken WMA wasn't much to crow about. It just provided us with a small spot to camp. Not recommended but for the most hard core of bike tours. After eating one of the many oatmeal creme pies that the Man of 3 Names brought, I eagerly loaded up the bike to blow this WMA. It was almost blistering hot last night and the bugs were very thick. It was a pioneer experience. We discovered just

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-59902137905442399302010-09-11T07:00:00.032-05:002010-09-11T07:00:04.927-05:00

This day is not be confused with Patriots' Day, the day the Boston Marathon in run. No, today is Patriot Day. And a moment of silence will be observed at 8:46 AM EST. You probably know the rest of the story. When the events of 9/11 transpired I was not even in the U.S. Nope. I was in the safety of the Great North- Canada. Far removed from the actual events. We were tenting at a KOA in next to

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-51985483367807377742010-09-10T10:49:00.000-05:002010-09-10T10:49:58.565-05:00

More editorial stuff. Although this story continues to smolder and I suppose the news will look to other fires to talk about Nonetheless, the burning of religious texts has been put on hold only after some deal to move a religious structure near Ground Zero was allegedly made. And get this, Donald Trump is also involved in some way! Sounds like mis-information will be we everywhere. Even this

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-56124117883424825142010-09-09T09:48:00.001-05:002010-09-14T12:11:46.246-05:00

A bit of an editorial slant today. Did you know someone plans to burn a particular holy book in of all places, Florida? And get this: a certain government official wants to stop it. To me the whole burning issue is a red herring. In particular how such an act by a few citizens could jeopardize foreign policy, really has me wondering how our government is picking its talking points. Thanks to the

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-45306549383314029232010-08-30T23:29:00.001-05:002010-09-14T10:33:57.782-05:00

Entries have bee sparse of late. 2 weeks ago I lead a expedition to the BWCA up the Nina Moose and into Lac La Croix. Then the weekend following I ended up painting an entire house and attending a picnic in the Grand Cities. Of course you could point the finger at me- as a blogger you should be writing about those things. And eventually I will. Just not all right now. In fact I've got to get the

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-72866585169437923862010-08-13T09:58:00.000-05:002010-08-13T09:58:03.422-05:00

The end of summer may be the last time you will put away a case of Gluek's for hunting season. The regional label will no longer be produced by the Cold Spring Brewing Company down there in Cold Spring, MN (which is near Ricori, right?) The demand for craft beers was cited as reason for extinguishing Gluek's. Gluek's had been around for quite a while. Its namesake, Gottlieb Gluek, starting

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162952.post-23323728956810018792010-08-06T18:00:00.003-05:002010-09-10T09:51:18.385-05:00

I finally am getting to writing about my bike trip a month after it happened. As usual it will come in installments. Hopefully you'll enjoy my adventure I took with the Man of 3 Names. Early in June, or May,  I got an e-mail from the Man of 3 Names. He wished to join me on my annual bike jaunt if it was OK. It was. I left most of the the route planning to him since he had much more time than I

RoYcEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04378700088995077356noreply@blogger.com0